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Chimera Participates in Flashes of Hope Photo Shoot

by
Staff Writer
/ Washington Capitals

Capitals left wing Jason Chimera participated in a Flashes of Hope photo shoot on the Hematology/Oncology Care Unit at Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 22. Flashes of Hope is a nonprofit organization that changes the way children with cancer and other life threatening illnesses see themselves through the gift of photography and raises money for pediatric cancer research. Chimera spent time with patients and their families, took photos and signed autographs.

“I really enjoy visiting with patients at hospitals,” said Chimera. “I admire the toughness and bravery of these kids and it’s rewarding to spend time with them. It’s great to smiles on their faces and we had a lot of fun together during the photo shoots.”

Earlier this year Washington Capitals Charities provided a grant to Flashes of Hope, allowing the organization to open a chapter in Washington, D.C. The photo shoot with Chimera was the second held at Children’s National, and allowed more than 20 patients and their families to be photographed. Although Flashes of Hope is new to the D.C. area, Chimera is no stranger to the program as he worked with the organization during his time with the Columbus Blue Jackets.

The Flashes of Hope portraits, taken by award-winning photographers, help children feel better about their changing appearance by celebrating it. For families of terminally ill children, it's especially important to have a portrait that preserves forever the beauty, grace and dignity of their child. The goal of Flashes of Hope is to photograph every child until every child is cured.